Breaks Co-OpThe Sound Inside

Much changed for Breaks Co-Op in the eight years between their debut record and The Sound Inside: where they were once an electronic duo, theyve now got an extra member and play softly sung laidback adult acoustic jams, the kind of music college students might be unfortunately inclined to describe as "chill. The changeup worked commercially, as the record promptly went double platinum in the bands native New Zealand, thanks only in part to the fame of founding member Zane Lowe, a UK TV presenter and radio host. The records success can also be attributed to its aggressive inoffensiveness, its unwavering dedication to only slightly noticeable by-the-numbers acoustic rock. In fact, if it were sold by the register at Starbucks it could go double platinum Stateside too. The record features the kind of soft strums, hand-slapped drums and unobtrusive vocals (with empty lyrics, natch) that guarantee entry into the playlists of people who dont really like music everywhere. The players are acceptable musicians, and the production is fittingly smooth, but based on The Sound Inside, Breaks Co-Op has little to say and no interesting way to say it.
(EMI)